Artist: Various
Album: Punk Goes Pop Vol. 3
Genre: Covers/Compilation
Label: Fearless

There are few things more difficult to review than compilation albums. These are releases built for a purpose or theme and generally have little to no flow from track to track. Compilations are more a showcase of talent more than an attempt at changing the way one looks at music as a whole and Fearless Records’ long running Punk Goes… compilations have developed a formula over the the better part of the past decade that lay most releases in this genre to shame. Aside from keeping things fresh with rotating themes (if you’ve been living in the dark, Punk also goes 80’s, 90’s, classic rock, acoustic, and metal), this series has survived thanks mainly to a seemingly endless roster of “you need to know” and “flash in the pan” talent ready to re-interpret already successful music in a unique way and the latest installment, Punk Goes Pop 3, is no different.

Punk Goes Pop 3 is nothing more than a battle of hit and miss covers. In theory, if Fearless presents us with a wide enough variety of songs and talent they’re bound to strike gold more than once or twice (at least, that’s what they hope). Generally speaking, this has been a successful method of production (outside of Goes Metal and Classic Rock, both of which should have never occured) and it proves even more rewarding this time around as few covers fall flat. Luckily, with fourteen tracks at your disposal, you can say goodbye to the over-produced and redundant Woe, Is Me rendition of “Hot And Cold” and Cute Is What We Aim For’s misguided approach to T.I.’s “Dead And Gone” without regretting your entire purchase.

As intriguing as a compilation without many “skip it” tracks may be, perhaps the most unique part of this release is actually the talent it showcases. While developed acts like Breathe Carolina and Mayday Parade deliver expectedly solid covers, rising acts take the spotlight on PGP3. Of Mice And Men, who’ve spent more time in headlines due to drama than music, show new vocalist Jerry Roush may be just what the band needed for a fresh start as they make “Blame It” a song you’d swear they wrote themselves. Likewise, Sparks The Rescue give Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” a refreshing pop rock take before We Came As Romans drop their generally over autotuned style for a clean vocals and bone crunching growls with pit ready rendition of Justin Timberlake’s “My Love” that closes the record on surprisingly high note.

When it comes down to it, what will ultimately make or break your opinion of Punk Goes Pop Vol. 3 is your overall interest in the series. If you’re looking for groundbreaking re-imaginings you’ll be sorely out of luck, but if all you want is a good time without the shame of actually putting Akon on your iPod, this is the release for you. Yes, this installment of Punk Goes features possibly the youngest cast of talent to date, but it may also be the most surprising entry in the series. We all know acts like New Found Glory and Chiodos can record truly great songs, but this collection gives the underdogs an opportunity to shine and they take it for all its worth.

Score: 8/10
Review written by: James Shotwell

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James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

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